NEWS HEADLINES

Rhome native “Cornbread” O’Neill, former bit actor in several John Wayne films, will premiere on the streets of his hometown this weekend.

The 73-year-old “Cornbread” will serve as grand marshal when the parade for the Rhome Pioneer Days Festival takes to Main Street 10 a.m. Saturday.

FIRE AND STEAM – An old-fashioned blacksmith heats up during last year’s Pioneer Days in Rhome. This year’s event runs Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and all day Saturday. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

The 27th annual Rhome Pioneer Days Parade and Festival starts Friday at 6 p.m. with vendors and live music by Robert MacArthur on the main stage in front of City Hall. But the event really gets going with the parade Saturday morning.

“It’s gonna be a great day of family fun,” said parks and recreations chair Terri Troxell. “We’ve got a lot of things going to make the people laugh and bring everyone together for a day.”

The festival will feature approximately 40 vendors as well as gunfighters, stagecoach rides, food, games, a bounce house, a slide and a raffle giving away an outdoor grill, 40-inch flat-screen television and more.

The Boyd High School Marching Band and the Decatur Eagle Dolls will perform. Texas Motor Speedway will have NASCAR vehicles on display, and of course the Antique Tractor Club will also have an exhibit.

ONWARD TRACTOR – Antique tractors will be featured on the parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday on Main Street in Rhome for the 27th Pioneer Days Festival and Parade. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

Other events on the main stage include the infamous Ugly Woman Contest and karaoke following the parade.

Justin Williams and Phillip Kelley will take the main stage from 7 to 10 p.m. to close out the festival with a street dance.

“It’s just two guys playing acoustic guitars, but they draw a big crowd and get the audience involved,” said Troxell. “We hope everyone can make it out. We’re going to have a real fun time.”

The event is organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information or to acquire a vendor space, call city hall at 817-636-2462 or Troxell at 817-223-6172.

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